Cable suspension

ABSTRACT

A cable suspension may allow a cable to be pivoted about a pivot axis that passes through a thickness of a cable. A bend radius of the cable entering and exiting the cable suspension may be increased and/or the degree of bend by a cable entering and exiting the cable support may be decreased. The cable may comprise insulated electrical cables, non-insulated electrical cables (e.g., conductors), shielded cables, non-electrical signal cables (e.g., optical cables), and/or assemblies thereof.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/457,226, titled “A CABLE SUSPENSION” and filedon Mar. 13, 2017, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/765,624, titled “A CABLE SUSPENSION” andfiled on Aug. 4, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,595,820. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/765,624 is a National Phase Entry ofPCT/US2014/014580, titled “A CABLE SUSPENSION” and filed on Feb. 4,2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/760,616, titled “A CABLE SUSPENSION” and filed on Feb. 4, 2013. U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/457,226, U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/765,624, PCT/US2014/014580, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/760,616 are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A cable suspension is disclosed to facilitate supporting cables frompoles and towers.

BACKGROUND

Suspension fittings of various configurations are known for supportingcables on and between poles and towers. Respective fittings aresuspended from corresponding poles. A cable is supported by runningcontinuously through each fitting and from fitting to fitting. A lengthof cable between adjacent suspension fittings (e.g. poles) is known as“a span.”

A function of a suspension fitting is to mitigate the deleteriouseffects of static and dynamic loads on a supported cable. Cables aresubjected to static loads arising from the effects of gravity anddifferentials in span lengths and/or misalignment of spans on oppositesides of the suspension. Dynamic loads may arise from the effects ofwind, vibration, for example, from road traffic, and from animals suchas birds, and in particular flocks of birds landing and alighting fromsuspended cables, or possums walking along the cables. These loads maycause the cable to move in a plane transverse or parallel to its length.Loads in the transverse plane may be termed as “swing” loads (andproduce swing motion), while loads in the parallel plane may be termedas “sway” loads (and produce sway motion).

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the detaileddescription. This summary is not intended to identify key factors oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

The motion arising from static and dynamic loads may cause localizedbending of the cable immediately adjacent to the opposite sides of thefitting. Ideally this angle should be the same on each side and thusproduce a zero deviation angle. The deviation angle is the difference inbend angle on each side of the fitting. However, in practice, previousfittings, particularly when subjected to sway loads, are unable toproduce a non-zero deviation angle.

In broad terms in a first aspect there is disclosed a cable suspensionwhich allows a cable to be pivoted about a pivot axis that passesthrough a thickness of a cable. The general idea here is to increase abend radius of the cable entering and exiting the cable suspension, e.g.reducing the degree of bend by a cable entering and exiting the cablesupport.

In the context of the present specification “cable” is intended toinclude but is not limited to insulated electrical cables, non-insulatedelectrical cables (also known in the art as “conductors’), shieldedcables, non-electrical signal cables such as but not limited to opticalcables, or assemblies thereof. The insulated or non-insulated electricalcables can include cables made from a single or multiple strands, and inthe latter case, may be twisted or bundled together. Due to theirphysical characteristic, optical fibers are less robust than electricalcables and generally require greater protection or isolation frommechanical strain. It is not an essential requirement that the cable beused or indeed be capable of carrying electrical and/or optical power orsignals. The cable may be in the form of a cable used to support amechanical load, such as, for example, mechanical support cables onsuspension bridges or from which electrical cables are suspended forelectrified rail systems.

The disclosed cable suspension may be more particularly arranged so thatthe pivot axis passes through or closely adjacent to a center line of acable received in or supported by the cable suspension.

In broad terms the cable suspension has a body configured to receive orseat a cable, and a bracket that is pivotally coupled to the body aboutthe pivot axis. The bracket may be arranged to couple to a support, suchas a pole or tower, at a location disposed above the pivot axis. Thisenables the cable suspension to be suspended, for example, from a hookthat may be attached to a pole or tower. The bracket may be providedwith a coupling mechanism to facilitate the coupling of the bracket tothe support. The coupling can be arranged to enable the bracket and thusthe body to move in a swing plane that lies parallel to the pivot axis.The coupling mechanism may also enable the bracket and thus the body tomove in a sway plan that lies transverse to the pivot axis.

The ability for the bracket to move in the swing plane and/or the swayplane provides the cabled suspension with multiple degrees of freedom ofmovement to assist in mitigating stress, strain, and fatigue in a cable.

In a first aspect there is disclosed a cable suspension comprising: abody configured to receive a cable and a bracket pivotally coupled tothe body about a pivot axis and arranged to couple to a support at alocation above the pivot axis. The pivot axis is orientated to passthrough a thickness of a cable received in the body.

In an embodiment the pivot axis is orientated to intersect with or lieclosely adjacent to a center line of a cable received in the body.

In an embodiment the bracket is arranged to couple to the support in amanner to enable the body to move in a swing plane that lies parallel tothe pivot axis.

In the same or an alternate embodiment the bracket is arranged to coupleto the support in a manner to enable the body to move in a sway planethat lies transverse to the pivot axis.

In an embodiment the pivot axis lies in a transverse center plane of thebody.

In an embodiment the cable suspension comprises a damping systemoperatively coupled between the body and the bracket and arranged todampen motion about the pivot axis.

In an embodiment the damping system comprises at least one elastomericmember interposed between the body and the bracket.

In an embodiment the body comprises a plurality of demountable partsconfigured to encircle, and couple together about, an outercircumferential surface of a cable.

In an embodiment the bracket comprises a first coupling part. The firstcoupling part may comprise a loop structure such as but not limited toan annulus or ring arranged to facilitate articulated coupling of thebody to the support. The articulated coupling enables the movement inthe sway plane and swing plane. Moreover a second coupling part may beprovided that is configured for engagement with the first coupling part.The second coupling part may be attached or attachable to the support.The second coupling part may comprise a hook. The hook may be attachedor attachable to the support. The first and second coupling partstogether may be considered as forming a mounting interface that enablesan articulated coupling of the body with the support at a location abovethe pivot axis.

In an embodiment the bracket forms first part of a mounting interfacethat enables an articulated coupling with a support. In this embodimentthe mounting interface also comprises a second part that is eitherattached to the support or is attachable to the support, wherein thefirst and second parts are configured to be mutually engaged tofacilitate articulation of the cable suspension on the support. In anexample the first part comprises a closed loop structure and the secondpart comprises a hook. The closed loop structure may be in the form ofan annulus or a ring at one end of the bracket.

In an embodiment the bracket comprises two arms between which the bodyis located and wherein the pivot axis passes through the arms.

In an embodiment the bracket comprises a cradle that extends across anunderside of the body and wherein the pivot axis passes through thecradle.

In a second aspect there is disclosed a cable suspension comprising: abody configured to receive a cable; a bracket pivotally coupled to thebody about a pivot axis; and a mounting interface that enables anarticulated coupling of the body with the support at a location abovethe pivot axis. The pivot axis is orientated to pass through a thicknessof a cable received in the body.

In an embodiment the mounting interface comprises a first coupling partand a second coupling part, the first coupling part being a part of orotherwise attached to the bracket and the second coupling part beingattached to or attachable to the support wherein the first and secondcoupling parts are configured to be mutually engaged.

In an example the first coupling part comprises a loop structure and thesecond coupling part comprises a hook. The loop structure may be in theform of an annulus or a ring at one end of the bracket.

The following description and annexed drawings set forth certainillustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but afew of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed.Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure willbecome apparent from the following detailed description when consideredin conjunction with the annexed drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within the scope of thecable support as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will nowbe described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1a is a front elevation view of an embodiment of a cable suspensionin an equilibrium state where loads acting on a cable supported by thecable suspension are balanced in (e.g., one or more and/or all)directions so that a bracket of the cable support lies in asubstantially vertical plane and a body of the cable suspension lies ina substantially horizontal plane.

FIG. 1b is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.1 a.

FIG. 1c is a plan view of the cable suspension illustrated in FIGS. 1aand 1 b.

FIG. 2a is an isometric exploded view of the cable suspensionillustrated in FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 2b is a side elevation exploded view of the cable suspension showin FIG. 1 a.

FIG. 3a is a front elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.1a in an unbalanced state where the load applied by the cable on theright side of the cable suspension is greater than the load applied bythe cable on the left side of the cable suspension, causing the body tosway in an anticlockwise direction in a sway plane that is generallycoplanar with the cable spans.

FIG. 3b is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.3 a.

FIG. 3c is a plan view of the cable suspension illustrated in FIGS. 3aand 3 b.

FIG. 4a is a front elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.1a in an unbalanced state where the load applied by the cable on theleft side of the cable suspension is greater than the load applied bythe cable on the right side of the cable suspension, causing the body tosway in an clockwise direction in a sway plane that is generallycoplanar with the cable spans.

FIG. 4b is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.4 a.

FIG. 4c is a plan view of the cable suspension illustrated in FIGS. 4aand 4 b.

FIG. 5a is a front elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.1a illustrating the effects of unbalanced loads in a sway plane, that isgenerally coplanar with the cable spans, and a swing plane, that isgenerally transverse to the cable spans. The net effect of the forcescauses the cable suspension to swing away from a supporting structureand sway in a clockwise direction.

FIG. 5b is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.5 a.

FIG. 5c is a plan view of the cable suspension illustrated in FIGS. 5aand 5 b.

FIG. 6a is a front elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.1a illustrating the effects of unbalanced loads in a sway plane, that isgenerally coplanar with the cable spans, and a swing plane, that isgenerally transverse to the cable spans. The net effect of the forcescauses the cable suspension to swing away from a supporting structureand sway in an anticlockwise direction.

FIG. 6b is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.6 a.

FIG. 6c is a plan view of the cable suspension illustrated in FIGS. 6aand 6 b.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a cable suspended from cablesuspensions that are mounted to three adjacent posts. There is a staticload imbalance on the opposite sides of the cable suspension mounted tothe middle post that causes the cable suspension to sway anticlockwisein a sway plane that is generally coplanar with the cable spans.

FIG. 8a is a rear isometric view of an alternate embodiment of cablesuspension comprising a U-shaped portion that extends over the top ofthe body with two arms that depend from a bridge to support the cablesuspension body. One of the arms is hinged to allow a cable to beinserted into the body.

FIG. 8b is a front isometric view of the cable suspension illustrated inFIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8c is a front elevation view of the cable suspension illustrated inFIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8d is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.8 a.

FIG. 8e is a rear elevation view of the cable suspension illustrated inFIG. 8 a.

FIG. 9a is a rear isometric view of the cable suspension illustrated inFIG. 8a with the hinged arm displaced from the front of the body tofacilitate insertion of a cable.

FIG. 9b is a front isometric view of the cable suspension illustrated inFIG. 8a with the hinged arm displaced from the front of the body tofacilitate insertion of a cable.

FIG. 9c is a front elevation view of the cable suspension illustrated inFIG. 8a with the hinged arm displaced from the front of the body tofacilitate insertion of a cable.

FIG. 9d is a side elevation of the cable suspension illustrated in FIG.8a with the hinged arm displaced from the front of the body tofacilitate insertion of a cable.

FIG. 10a is a side elevation exploded view of the cable suspension showin FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 10b is an isometric exploded view of the cable suspensionillustrated in FIG. 8 a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer tolike elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may beevident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practicedwithout these specific details. In other instances, structures anddevices are illustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitatedescribing the claimed subject matter.

FIGS. 1a-2b depict an embodiment of the cable suspension 10. The cablesuspension 10 comprises a body 12 configured to receive a cable 14 and abracket 16 that is pivotally coupled to the body 12 about a pivot axis18 and is further arranged to couple to a support at a location abovethe pivot axis 18. The pivot axis 18 is orientated to pass through athickness of the cable 14 received in the body 12. As will be explainedin greater detail below, this embodiment of the cable suspension 10 isable to maintain a portion of the cable 14 within the body 12 in asubstantially horizontal plane under various static and dynamic loadconditions that are expected or reasonably foreseeable and maintain alarge bending radius of the cable 14 on opposite sides of the body 12thereby limiting and/or decreasing the degree of bend in the cable 14.

In FIGS. 1a-2b , the cable suspension 10 is depicted in a substantiallybalanced or equilibrium load condition. In this condition the net of thestatic and dynamic loads and forces acting on the cable suspension 10and received cable 14 are such that the bracket 16 hangs substantiallylike a plumb line so that a longitudinal center line C1 of the bracket16 lies in a vertical plane and is perpendicular to the horizontalplane. Further, a center line C2 of a portion of the cable 14 receivedin the body 12 is held in a horizontal plane. Indeed, embodiments of thecable suspension 10 function in the manner to maintain the center lineof the portion of the cable 14 within the body 12 in a horizontal planein majority of foreseeable static and dynamic load conditions. As aresult a bending radius of the cable 14 as it enters and exits the body12 is enhanced and/or increased (e.g. the degree of bend of the cable 14adjacent to the opposite ends of the body 12 is limited and/ordecreased).

In the present described embodiments the support comprises a pole ortower and/or support (see FIG. 7). The coupling of the suspension 10 tothe support is via a first coupling part 29. The first coupling part 29is formed as a part of, or is otherwise attached to, the bracket 16. Thecoupling of the suspension 10 via the first coupling part 29 enables anarticulated coupling of the suspension 10 to the support in a sway planeand a swing plane. These planes will be described shortly. The firstcoupling part 29 engages a complimentary second coupling part 21. Thesecond coupling part 21 is attached, or otherwise attachable, to thesupport. The parts 29 and 21 are configured to be mutually engaged tofacilitate articulation of the cable suspension 10 on the support.

The coupling part 29 is in the form of a loop structure of the bracket16 and is exemplified in the Figures as an annulus (or ring or washer)30. The second coupling part 21 is exemplified in the Figures as a hook22 having a straight shank 24 and a contiguous arcuate hook portion 26.The hook 22 is attached so that the shank 24 extends perpendicular tothe pole and in a substantially horizontal plane. Together the couplingparts 29 and 21 may be considered as constituting a mounting interface31 that facilitates articulation of the body 12 and thus cablesuspension 10 on the support. As explained below this articulation ismanifested by a sway motion of the suspension 10 in a plane parallel tothe general direction of the cable 14, and a swing motion of thesuspension in a general direction transverse to the direction of thecable.

Looking at the components of the cable suspension 10 in greater detailand with particular reference to FIGS. 2a and 2b , it will be seen thatin this embodiment the bracket 16 comprises a cradle 32 attached to thecoupling part 29/annulus 30. The annulus 30 has a central through-hole34 defined by an inner circumferential surface 36. The cradle 32 isformed with a ledge 38 to which an outer circumferential surface 40 ofthe annulus 30 is attached. This attachment may for example be achievedby welding. Alternately, the annulus 30 and cradle 32 may be integrallyformed. Depending from the ledge 38 is a generally U-shaped portion 42of the cradle 32. The U-shaped portion 42 comprises a pair of parallellugs or arms 44 which are spaced and attached to each other by anintegrally formed bridge 46. Mutually aligned threaded holes 48 areformed in the lugs 44. A center line of the holes 48 coincides with thepivot axis 18. Strengthening fillets or webs 50 and 52 are provided onan outside of the bracket 16 to assist in resisting distortion or otherbending of the bracket 16.

The body 12 comprises a plurality of demountable parts including a firstshell 54 a and a second shell 54 b (hereinafter referred to in generalas “shells 54”). The shells 54 are configured to encircle and coupletogether about an outer circumferential surface of the cable 14.Conceptually the shells 54 may be viewed as being formed by splittingthe body 12 in a horizontal plane. The shell 54 a is formed with alongitudinally extending channel 58 that seats the cable 14. The channel58 includes a central or intermediate portion 60 and contiguous oppositeend portions 62. A center line 60L of the portion 60 is straight.However a center line 62L of the end portion 62 is curved withincreasing radius in a direction away from the central portion 60 to thedistal ends of the body 12. The curvature of the center line 62L andcorresponding end portions 62 may comprise a single fixed radius or aplurality of progressively increasing radii that form a substantiallysmooth curve.

A central passage 64 is created in the body 12 when the shells 54 arecoupled together. The passage 64 has an ovoid like shape in crosssection. The shape of the passage 64 (and thus the channel 58) isdependent upon the shape and configuration of the cable 14 to bereceived and otherwise supported by the suspension 10. Thus this willvary for embodiments of the cable suspension required to support cablesof different cross sectional shape, such as a circular.

A pair of walls extends from opposite sides of the central portion 60.In an embodiment the walls are formed as an integral portion of theshell 54 a. The walls are provided with respective blind holes 68 thatare in alignment with each other and the pivot axis 18. The holes 68 areformed with a conical toe.

The walls are also formed with planar top surfaces 70. A single threadedblind hole 72 is formed in each of the walls 70 from its top surface 72.In this embodiment the holes 72 are diametrically opposed to each other.

The shell 54 b has a central portion 76 and contiguous and opposite endportions 78. A channel 80 is formed along the central and end portions76 and 78 which faces the channel 58. The channel 80 has a shape andconfiguration that is symmetric to that of channel 58 about a horizontalplane containing the pivot axis 18. A connection plate 82 is formed onan outer surface of the central portion 76 and is configured to overlieand engage the walls. Further, the plate 82 is formed with diagonallyopposed holes 84 that align with the holes 72. Mechanical fasteners 86are passed through the holes 84 and engage the holes 72 via threads toeffectively clamp the shells 54 a and 54 b together. Cable 14 isreceived in the body 12 by undoing the fasteners 86 so that the shells54 can be separated, and subsequently placing the shells 54 about alength wise portion of the cable 14 and then clamping or otherwisecoupling the shells 54 together by use of the fasteners 86.

The body 12 is attached to the bracket 16 by pivot screws 88. Asillustrated most clearly in FIG. 2b , each pivot screw 88 is formed witha hexagonal head 90, a shank 92, and a conical end 94. A portion of theshank 92 immediately adjacent the head is formed with a screw thread toengage the thread on a respective hole 48. However the remainder of thelength of the shank 92 to the end 94 is smooth. This forms a bearingsurface for the body 12 to pivot on.

When assembling the cable suspension 10, the body 12 is placed withinthe bracket 16 and in between the lugs 44 so that the holes 48 are inalignment with the holes 68. Pivot screws 88 are now screwed into holes48 from the outside of the lugs 44, and the unthreaded part of eachshank 92 extends into corresponding blind holes 68 of the walls. Theextent of penetration of the screws 88 into the holes 68 is limited bythe abutment of the conical surfaces 94 with corresponding conicalsurfaces in the blind holes 68. Specifically, the cable suspension 10 isarranged so that when the screws 88 are fully screwed into the holes 48the head 90 does not clamp the bracket 16 against the body 12. Rathersufficient spacing is provided to enable the body 12 to pivot on thebearing surfaces formed by the shanks 92 and about the pivot axis 18. Aswill be recognized the pivot axis 18 corresponds with the central axisof the screws 88, holes 68 and holes 48.

Optionally, a damping system 95 may be incorporated in the cablesuspension 10. The damping system 95 is operatively coupled between thebody 12 and the bracket 16 to dampen motion about the pivot axis 18. Inthe present embodiment, the damping system 95 comprises elastomericmembers in the form of washers 97 located between the walls and the lugs44 and through which respective pivot screws 88 pass.

It should be understood that while the pivot axis 18 extends orotherwise passes through a thickness of the cable 14 received within thebody 12, there is no physical pivot axle, pin, or other member thatpasses through the thickness of the cable 14. In a configuration thepivot axis 18 passes through or intersects with a center line of thecable 14.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1a-1c , it will be appreciated thatthe bracket 16 is provided with a plurality of degrees of freedom ofmovement. In particular, the bracket 16 due to the engagement of theannulus 30 to the hook 22 can swing in a plane that lies parallel to thepivot axis, and can move in a sway plane that lies transverse to thepivot axis 18. This motion comes about due to the configuration of theannulus 30 which is in the form of an annulus that is engaged by thehook 22. With particular reference to FIG. 1a the bracket 16 can swayfrom side to side in the sway plane that coincides with the plane ofFIG. 1a and is perpendicular to the pivot axis 18. This motion can beconsidered as equivalent to the annulus 30 pivoting in the plane of FIG.1a about the hook 22 in clockwise or anticlockwise directions indicatedby arrows C and AC.

FIG. 1b illustrates the freedom of movement of the bracket 16 and thusthe cable suspension 10 in the swing plane. The swing plane liesparallel to the pivot axis 18 and coincides with the plane of FIG. 1b .Movement of the bracket 16 and thus body 12 in the swing plane coincideswith the annulus 30 riding forwards or backwards along the curve of thehook 26. This may occur for example in response to wind loading from abreeze predominantly from the left hand side or the right hand side ofFIG. 1 b.

It should also be understood that motion of the bracket 16 and body 12in the swing and sway planes is not mutually exclusive. Rather, suchmotions may and will often occur simultaneously. Further, due to thepivot coupling of the bracket 16 to the body 12 about the pivot axis 18,the body 12 and thus the section of cable 14 received within the body 12will be maintained in a substantially horizontal plane irrespective ofthe degree of swing or sway.

The range of motion of the cable suspension 10 that is available due tothe structural and functional features is specifically illustrated inFIGS. 3a -6 c.

FIGS. 3a-3c illustrate the cable suspension 10 when the bracket 16 isswayed in an anticlockwise direction AC in the sway plane. This mayarise due to for example an unbalanced static load on opposite sides ofthe suspension 10 owing to different span lengths 14 r and 14 l on theright and left sides respectively of the body 12. For example the lengthof the span 14 r may be 100 m whereas the length of the span 14 l may be60 m. Provided there are no other dynamic or static forces acting andthat the spans 14 l and 14 r lie in the substantially the same verticalplane, then the suspension 10 will move in the sway plane with thebracket 16 pivoting in the anticlockwise direction about the hook 22.The body 12, and thus the portion of a cable supported therein, ismaintained in a substantially horizontal plane due to pivoting of thebody 12 about the pivot axis 18.

FIGS. 4a-4c depict a similar situation to that of FIGS. 3a-3c but wherethe static load is unbalanced so as to be greater on the left hand sideof the body 12 rather than the right hand side. This may be broughtabout for example by the span 14 l being of greater length than the span14 r. Now the bracket 16 and thus the body 12 are pivoted in theclockwise direction C in the sway plane about the hook 22. The body 12is maintained in a substantially horizontal plane in relation of thepivot axis 18. It is assumed that the cable 14 received by thesuspension 10 is also received by adjacent suspensions 10 which are hungat the same vertical height on adjacent posts as the suspension 10 inquestion as illustrated for example in FIG. 7.

FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate the effects of a plurality of dynamic and/orstatic forces on a cable 14 supported by the suspension 10. Here the neteffect of the forces has the effect of causing both a swing and a swayof the bracket 16 and thus the body 12 and a consequential pivoting ofbody 12 about the pivot axis 18. In particular in these Figures, it willbe seen that the bracket 16 undergoes a combined motion of swaying in aclockwise direction about the hook 22 while also swinging upwardly (e.g.riding up a forward portion of the hook 22). This motion may occur forexample by action of the span length 14 l being longer than the spanlength 14 r and one or both of the action of a wind blowing from left toright with reference to FIG. 5b , and due to a non-zero angle ofdeviation between mutually adjacent poles from which the suspensions 10are supported.

FIGS. 6a-6c illustrate the effect of a similar set of forces as in FIGS.5a-5c with the difference being a predominate static load being appliedto the span 14 l rather than 14 r.

FIG. 7 depicts a cable 14 suspended on three adjacent poles 28 a, 28 b,and 28 c by cable suspension 10 a, 10 b and 10 c. The suspensions 10 a,10 b, and 10 c are identical to the suspension 10 described in FIGS.1a-2c . The poles 28 a, 28 b, and 28 c lie in the same line and each ofthe hooks 22 a, 22 b, and 22 c are mounted at the same height on theirrespective poles. In this example the spacing between poles 28 a and 28b is 60 meters while the spacing between poles 28 b and 28 c is 100meters. It is also assumed that cable span 14 l on the left hand side ofcable suspension 10 a is 60 meters while the length of the span 14 r onthe right hand side of cable suspension 10 c is less than 100 meters.Thus there is a static load imbalance on opposite sides of the cablesuspension 10 b. In particular there is a greater static load on theright hand side of cable suspension 10 b than the left hand side. As aconsequence the bracket 16 of cable suspension 10 b sways in theanticlockwise direction about the corresponding hook 22 b.

FIGS. 8a-10b depict a second embodiment of a cable suspension. In thesecond embodiment the cable suspension is denoted by the referencenumber 100. Features of the cable suspension 100 that have the same orsimilar structure or function as features in the cable suspension 10 aredenoted by reference numbers which have been incremented by 100 withrespect to the reference numbers used for the cable suspension 10. Forexample, the cable suspension 100 comprises a body 112 configured toreceive a cable, and a bracket 116 pivotally coupled to the body 112about a pivot axis. The bracket 116 is also arranged to couple to asupport in the form of a hook (not shown) at a location above the pivotaxis. The pivot axis is orientated to pass through a thickness of andmost perfectly through a center of a cable received in the body 112.

The differences between the cable suspensions 10 and 100 lay in thespecific configuration of the bracket 116 and the body 112.

The bracket 116 is formed with a U-shaped portion 142 however in thisembodiment the U-shaped portion 142 extends over the top and down thesides of the body 116 rather than lying beneath and in effect cradlingthe body as in the cable suspension 10. The U-shaped portion 142 has abridge 146 that extends above and across the body 112 and to which theannulus 130 is attached. Depending from and formed integrally with oneside of the bridge 146 is a lug or arm 144 a. A second lug or arm 144 bis pivotally coupled to the bridge 146 and extends down an opposite sideof the body 112. Lug 144 b is hinged on a hinge pin 145 so that it canbe selectively disconnected from a pivot screw 188 b. A strengtheningweb 150 extends along a side of the lug 144 a opposite the body 112 andto the annulus 130.

As seen in FIGS. 10a and 10b the body 112 comprises a plurality ofdemountable parts including a first shell 154 a and second shell 154 b.The shell 154 a is formed with a relatively deep channel 158 while theshell 154 b is formed with a relatively shallow channel 180 which facesthe channel 158. The difference in the relative depth of the channels158 and 180 arises from the manner in which the pivot coupling of thebracket 116 to the body 112 is formed. In particular pivot screws 188 aand 188 b are orientated so that their respective heads 190 are disposedon the inside of and engage complimentary shaped recesses 191 in theshell 154 a. The shell 154 a has thickened wall portions 166 locatedcentrally along the length of the channel 158 and on opposite sidesthereof. Each wall 166 is formed with a hole 168 through which the shank192 of screw 188 extends. The channel 158 may be formed with a centralportion and contiguous opposite end portions of similar configuration tothat of central portion 60 and end portion 62. Thus the central portionmay be formed with a straight center line, while the end portions may beformed with center lines that curve or bend away from axial center lineof a passage 164 of the body 112. The curving of the end portions maytake the same form as the curving of the portions 62.

Upper surfaces of the walls 166 form abutment surfaces for the shell 154b. In addition, threaded blind holes 172 extend into the walls 166 fromthe top surface.

The shell 154 b is formed with four through holes 173 that pass from anupper side to an underside of the shell 154 b. The holes 173 are locatedat corners of an imaginary rectangle and two of the diagonally opposedholes 173 are arranged to align with the holes 172.

To assemble the cable suspension 100 the pivot screws 188 a and 188 bare inserted into the holes 168 from the inside of a channel 158. Thusthe heads 190 seat in complimentary shaped recesses 191. The shanks 192extend from the holes 168. A cable can then be placed in the channel158. Thereafter, the shell 154 b is placed over the shell 154 a andmechanical fasteners such as screws (not shown) pass through two of theholes 173 that align with and engage in threads in the threaded blindholes 172. Next, either the lug 114 b can be pivotally connected to thebridge 146 by a pivot pin, or alternately the lug 144 a can be passedonto the shank 192 of the pivot screw 188 a. In either case, a nut orother engagement mechanism can be attached to the portion of the shank192 extending from the lug 144 a to pivotally connect the lug 144 a tothe pivot screw 188 a. Next, the lug 144 b is engaged onto the shank 192of the pivot screw 188 b. In this embodiment it is seen that the shank192 is formed with a through-hole 193. This hole may receive a split pinor other mechanical stop that presents the lug 144 b from sliding offthe shank 192.

The pivot axis is an axis that is coincident with the center of theholes 168, shanks 192, and holes 148. Pivot axis passes through a centerline of a cable received in the body 112. The geometric relationshipbetween the pivot axis, a cable passing through the body 112, and thebracket 16 and in particular the annulus 130 is the same as in the cablesuspension 10. Thus the range of motion and function of the cablesuspension 100 is exactly the same as that of the cable suspension 10.

While a number of specific embodiments of the cable suspension have beendescribed it should be appreciated that the cable suspension may beembodied in many other forms. For example, the bodies 12 and 112 aredepicted as being formed from two main demountable components namelyshells 54 a and 54 b or shells 154 a and 154 b. However the bodies 12may be made from a larger number of parts that are assembled together.It a further variation is possible to form the passage 64 with acircular cross section and fit inserts within the passage 64 that areconfigured to form a channel of a shape appropriate for the cable 14.The spacing between suspensions 10 and associated span lengths describedin relation to FIG. 7 are exemplary only and not intended to indicateperformance limits of embodiments of the suspension. Also in thedescribed embodiments the first coupling part 29 is exemplified by anannulus while the second coupling part 21 is exemplified by a hook 22.However these coupling parts can take other forms that enable mutualengagement and facilitate an articulated coupling to the support. Forexample one or both of the first and second coupling parts may be in theform of a carabiner clip or snap hook that can be selectively opened andclosed.

Various operations of embodiments are provided herein. The order inwhich some or all of the operations are described should not beconstrued as to imply that these operations are necessarily orderdependent. Alternative ordering will be appreciated by one skilled inthe art having the benefit of this description. Further, it will beunderstood that not all operations are necessarily present in eachembodiment provided herein.

Moreover, “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example,instance, illustration, etc., and not necessarily as advantageous. Asused in this application, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or”rather than an exclusive “or”, unless specified otherwise, or clear fromcontext. In addition, “a” and “an” as used in this application and theappended claims may generally be construed to mean “one or more” unlessspecified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singularform. Also, at least one of A and B or the like generally means A or Bor both A and B.

Although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to oneor more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications willoccur to others skilled in the art based at least in part upon a readingand understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. Thedisclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and islimited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regardto the various functions performed by the above described components(e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe suchcomponents are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, toany component which performs the specified function of the describedcomponent (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though notstructurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs thefunction in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of thedisclosure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosuremay have been disclosed with respect to only one of severalimplementations, such feature may be combined with one or more otherfeatures of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageousfor any given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that“includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, or variants thereof are used ineither the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intendedto be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”

Further, unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” or the like arenot intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering,etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. forfeatures, elements, items, etc. For example, a first channel and asecond channel generally correspond to channel A and channel B, wherechannel A and channel B are two different channels, two identicalchannels or the same channel.

1. A cable suspension comprising: a body configured to receive a cable;a pivot member protruding from the body; and a bracket pivotally coupledto the body, wherein the bracket comprises: a first arm defining a firsthole through which the pivot member is selectively inserted to enablethe body to pivot relative to the bracket; and a second arm, wherein thefirst arm is configured to pivot relative to the second arm such that:when the first arm is at a first position relative to the second arm,the pivot member extends through the first hole, and when the first armis at a second position relative to the second arm, the pivot memberdoes not extend through the second hole.
 2. The cable suspension ofclaim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a bridge fixedly coupled to thesecond arm and pivotally coupled to the first arm.
 3. The cablesuspension of claim 1, wherein: the bracket comprises a bridge, thebridge defines a hole, and the first arm is coupled to the bracketthrough a hinge pin selectively insertable into the hole.
 4. The cablesuspension of claim 1, wherein: the body is configured to pivot relativeto the bracket about a first axis, the bracket comprises an annulusdefining a cylindrical hole, and a central axis of the cylindrical holeis substantially parallel to the first axis.
 5. The cable suspension ofclaim 1, wherein the body comprises: a first shell; and a second shellconfigured to be selectively engaged with the first shell.
 6. The cablesuspension of claim 5, wherein the pivot member protrudes from thesecond shell.
 7. The cable suspension of claim 6, wherein: the bracketcomprises a bridge coupling the first arm to the second arm, and thefirst shell is disposed between the second shell and the bridge.
 8. Thecable suspension of claim 5, wherein: the body is configured to pivotrelative to the bracket about a first axis, the first shell and thesecond shell define a channel for receiving the cable, and a centralaxis of the channel is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 9.The cable suspension of claim 1, wherein: the body defines a recessextending from a first surface of the body toward a second surface ofthe body, the pivot member comprises a head portion and a shaft portion,and the head portion is configured to be seated within the recess. 10.The cable suspension of claim 10, wherein the recess and the headportion have a same shape.
 11. The cable suspension of claim 10, whereinthe head portion interlocks with the body to mitigate rotation of thepivot member relative to the body.
 12. A cable suspension comprising: abody configured to receive a cable; and a bracket pivotally coupled tothe body, wherein the bracket comprises: a first arm; a second arm; anda bridge coupling the first arm to the second arm, wherein the first armis pivotally coupled to the bridge.
 13. The cable suspension of claim12, wherein the bridge and the second arm are integrally connected. 14.The cable suspension of claim 12, wherein: the first arm defines a firsthole, the bridge defines a second hole, and the cable suspensioncomprises a hinge pin extending through the first hole and the secondhole.
 15. The cable suspension of claim 12, wherein the body comprises afirst shell and a second shell configured to be mated with the firstshell to define a channel for receiving the cable.
 16. The cablesuspension of claim 12, wherein: the body defines a recess, and thecable suspension comprises a pivot member seated in the recess andconfigured to couple the body to the bracket.
 17. The cable suspensionof claim 12, wherein: the body defines a recess and a first hole, thecable suspension comprises a pivot member comprising a head portion anda shaft portion, the head portion is seated in the recess, and the shaftportion extends through the first hole.
 18. The cable suspension ofclaim 17, wherein the bracket defines a second hole and the shaftportion extends through the second hole.
 19. The cable suspension ofclaim 17, wherein the first arm defines a second hole and the shaftportion extends through the second hole.
 20. A cable suspensioncomprising: a body configured to receive a cable, wherein the bodydefines a recess and a first hole, wherein the recess and the hole areco-axially disposed; a pivot member having a head portion and a shaftportion, wherein the head portion is seated in the recess and the shaftportion extends through the first hole; and a bracket pivotally coupledto the body, wherein the bracket defines a second hole and the shaftportion extends through the second hole.